Fear of gun restrictions force hectic buying in Jackson

Long lines, packed parking mark opening of gun show

UPDATED 7:37 AM CST Jan 14, 2013

JACKSON, Miss. -

Operators at a Jackson gun show had to restock over the weekend after a fear of gun restrictions forced a hectic buying pace.

While politicians debate tightening gun laws after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, long lines and a packed parking lot marked the opening of the Mississippi Gun Show at the Trademart on Saturday.

"I was expecting a good turnout for this time of the year, but nothing like we are seeing right now," said organizer Bill Milstead.

Hundreds of gun enthusiasts checked out dealers' tables, which offered items from ammunition and knives to handguns and semiautomatic weapons.

Milstead said the normal attendance is about 3,000 for the two-day show, but he estimates that the crowd will be up by 50 percent over the weekend.